Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Chrysler Pacifica problems

Owners filed 726 complaints about the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica with NHTSA between Feb 2006 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is structure (198).

Complaints
726
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
24
People reported injured
Deaths
10
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure198
  2. Engine146
  3. Power train109
  4. Engine and engine cooling101
  5. Suspension86
  6. Fuel/propulsion system58
  7. Electrical system57
  8. Vehicle speed control49
  9. Steering36
  10. Fuel system, gasoline32
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  12. Service brakes15
  13. Air bags15
  14. Exterior lighting14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200630
200717
200816
200934
201058
201137
201251
201343
2014100
2015109
201689
201752
201821
201937
202016
20219
20225
20231
20240
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

198 reports1 crash2 fires
“A few weeks ago we took our car to a mechanic to have the brakes worked on as a part of routine maintenance. When we picked it up, he noted that when he had it up on the lift, he saw that the engine cradle was very badly rusted. He said that we shouldn't drive it anymore because of the risks involved. I tried to crawl under the car when we got home (there isn't a ton of clearance) but I saw what he was talking about. At that point we looked online and found hundreds and hundreds of similar experiences and complaints. We were left dumbfounded at the risks this introduces...thinking about what would happen if this mechanic hadn't noticed the issue and we'd been driving down the interstate with our kids when the thing decided to give way. And the fact that the manufacturer knows of this issue and has done nothing is beyond disgusting. Fortunately we found out from the mechanic, not from the engine falling out. Even still, this means that we're left with a worthless car. While our car is abandoned in the driveway hoping for Chrysler to right their wrong, we still see lots of similar vehicles on the road. I'm guessing that their owners don't know that they're…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2021StructureODI 11435073

Engine

146 reports3 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle turned off independently but was able to be restarted. Additionally, the vehicle was difficult to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop, where the PCM was reprogrammed and an unknown fuel injector repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle shut off independently but was able to be restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V432000 (Power Train), the dealer informed the contact that the equipment and parts to do the recall repair were not available after the vehicle had remained at the dealer for two days. The contact stated that several other dealers were contacted and provided the same information. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,791.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2025Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, EngineODI 11679922

Power train

109 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“I got in the car started it as usual, shifted it in (D), pulled out of my church parking lot, got about 5 miles away from my church stopped at a red light. The light turned green I accelerated as usual. At this light is a slight incline about 15% ways up the incline it just stopped pulling. I pressed the gas heat the engine Rev but no power to the wheels. So I shifted it in auto stick mode and it wouldn’t change out of second gear I left it on the highway for about 3 days.I went back trying to reset the trans by turning the switch on and holding the gas pedal for 30sec as seen in Chryslers forum and YouTube yet still no power had the car towed back to Alabama when I go to church in Tennessee which was about 50 miles away or so. Get it home after paying a huge towing bill. Because my insurance only covered like 15miles. I got it home try to shift it in R, D, and The Autostick. however, it finally started going back to 1st gear. Unfortunately it still wouldn’t pull. I’ve looked up the problem and there is a recall for this, However when I call Chrysler it doesn’t cover my vehicle”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2022Power trainODI 11465112

Engine and engine cooling

101 reports1 crash
“TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016 THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED THROUGH AND THE ENGINE LOWERED AND THE CRADLE ITSELF WAS DRAGGING ALONG THE STREET. MY WIFE WAS LEAVING OUR TOWN OF OWOSSO, MICHIGAN TO GO TO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS IN LANSING, MICHIGAN ABOUT 35 MILES AWAY. THE PACIFICA HAD 119,101 MILES ON IT AND WAS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP ABOUT 15 MILES AWAY ABOUT SEVEN YEARS PRIOR WITH 42,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP WAS SOLD IN FEBRUARY 2016. WITHOUT REPAIR THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE WAS JUST SCRAP METAL, REPAIR WAS AN ABSOLUTE TO SALVAGE ANY VALUE, THE REPAIR COST $3214.07. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2017Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, StructureODI 10940162

Suspension

86 reports1 crash1 fire
“PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2013, INQUIRED ABOUT DEFECTS AND RECALLS BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NONE. VEHICLE HAD 46,000 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF PURCHASE 104K PRESENTLY. GOOD RUNNING VEHICLE UP TO PAR ON MAINTENANCE, WHICH ALL GOES TO WASTE WITH A ROTTED SUBFRAME. RESEARCHED 100'S POSSIBLY 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, WHERE WAS MENTIONED NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. CONTACTED CHRYSLER MYSELF TO PUT IN COMPLAINT AND AGENT WOULD NOT EVEN FORWARD IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL BECAUSE THE LACK OF RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE COST FOR A NEW FRAME FROM A CHRYSLER DEALER IS OVER 2K AND COST JUST AS MUCH TO REPLACE. BUT THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR WEEKS. (COULD THIS MEAN THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE IN LINE WAITING TO ORDER AND NEEDING THIS PARTICULAR PART?) CANNOT TRUST USED PARTS BECAUSE OF MANY CHRYSLER PACIFICA OWNERS HAD TO SALVAGE THEIR VEHICLE FOR THE SAME REASON. MORE OF AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE INTO THIS. IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC WHO CAN AFFORD THESE OUTRAGEOUS, UNEXPECTED REPAIR COSTS OR EVEN A NEW VEHICLE. MY ONLY OPTION IS TO SALVAGE IT FOR WAY LESS THAT IT'S WORTH, AS I MENTIONED IT DRIVE GREAT! I CANNOT SELL IT TO ANYONE ELSE KNOWING THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2021Suspension, StructureODI 11404558

Fuel/propulsion system

58 reports1 fire
“GAS CAP LIGHT ALWAYS REMAIN ON. MY RPM GAUGE IS JUMPING AN ALL OF MY INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE ON. THESE THINGS HAPPEN UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A ROUGH IDLE AND I HAVE TO PUSH A PINK BUTTON TO SHIFT HERS. THE GEARS WILL NOT SHIFT. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR VEHICLES OF MY BRAND BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WHEN I HAD MY VEHICLE CHECKED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2020Electrical system, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11298888
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.